Spice Blends

There are two reasons why restaurant meals frequently taste so much better than our home-cooked versions. First, chefs are often heavy-handed with the sugar, salt, and fat. But that trick is not going to help you meet your fitness goals! The second reason, however, can help you: Chefs also use liberal doses of herbs and spices. These are packed with phytochemicals that can support your well-being—and even speed up your recovery and combat inflammation in some cases.

You can buy jarred spice blends, but they often contain unnecessary sugar or salt, flow agents to prevent caking, and flavor enhancers (such as MSG and maltodextrin). We suggest making them yourself with the recipes in this section—these blends keep for a few months in your pantry and take only a few minutes to prepare. Keep costs down and spices fresh by buying the exact amounts you need from the bulk bins.